Ramlal was living in Noida for past several years. He was very much excited that something called Formula One was about to start in Greater Noida. He had no idea what it was all about, but was thrilled that it was supposed to be an international event.
To know more about Formula One, he opened the topic at a tea stall in the morning.
He said,” I heard that there is something called Formula One starting here soon…”
A youngster Lallan from the next table said,” Oh yes, It has great action. Shahrukh Khan has apparently spent lot of money in making the film. The jerky south Indian dance Chhammakchhallo is already a hit.”
Ramlal became thoughtful and looked further confused. Since when did the SRK’s new films become an international event?
Nevertheless, he said,” But why are they going to play a band in Leisure valley in Gurgaon for releasing the film?
Another equally brainy chap Jaggu intervened,” Yes, I heard that. They have invited a firangi band called Metalli Ka or something. Funny people…If they wanted a band to play the inauguration of the film, they could have our Sadar bazar’s Chhotu band, which plays all latest hit songs so well. The band men also are in tip top uniform with band master walking in front with a stick.”
That evening, a friend told Ramlal that the band was cancelled at the last minute.
“Why was the orchestra cancelled? Did the item girls not come or what?”Asked Ramlal to his friend.
His friend replied,” Are yaar, there was so much rush you know. We all were eager to listen to Daler Mehendi’s Pop bhangra songs. Some people said that the barricades near the stage were broken. Now, what is wrong with that? Are they buffaloes or what, which they need barricades to hold themselves on the stage? All of us would have anyway gone on stage for just 5 minutes in groups and danced there. These firangi people are so afraid of safety you know..!”
Ramlal finally geared up the next day and went for the Formula One show. By then, thankfully he had realized that it was something to do car racing. He was still wondering, why they need an enclosure for the racing? The Blue line buses raced every day on Delhi roads and the crazy bikers did it in the nights. The real fun was to race amidst several vehicles like autos, motor cycles, sometime goats and buffaloes etc. He remembered that film stars occasionally indulged in such acts. Salman Khan had done it earlier and Ronit Roy had done it last week. That was heroic. On a neatly laid track with clear road ahead, it did not require much skill to race.
He found the stadium empty. He was surprised. He also found that some cows were grazing near the racing tracks, some children were flying kites. He enquired with someone there. He was told that the show starts only next week. During the show time, all these disturbances would be temporarily removed from the tracks. He looked relieved.
On the day of the real race, he went in the morning itself to feel the environment. Instead, what he felt was the huge traffic jam as he approached the venue. The vehicles were literally crawling to reach the site. What a contrast, Ramlal thought. Cars were slowing out outside to see them race inside.
He found a good seat for himself. He found a Sardar beside him. Sardar asked him, “What is happening here?”
Ramlal was happy that there was someone who was more ignorant than him. He replied, “Here all cars race. And whoever comes first gets the prize.”
Sardar looked puzzled and said,” If whoever comes first gets the prize, then why all others follow him madly?” Ramlal had no answer.
The show started amidst much fanfare and ended all too soon. All Ramlal could see was that some cars whizzed past them in just few seconds. They looked like fancy low height cars with fully protected people inside. He felt that he should have chosen a seat near the finishing line, because he remembered having seen in Golmaal that the cars struggle to inch-forward when they reach near the finishing line. He did not know whom to support and who was favorite. However, everyone around him was thrilled around him. He felt for a moment, does anyone really know the game here?
From his intelligent observation, Ramlal could make out that there were many south Indian pious people gathered there. Because, there were frivolous chants,”Narayana.. .Kartikeya…” from time to time. There were some Marathi pious people also, since he was hearing the chants of ‘Vitthal … Vitthal as well.” What he, however, could not comprehend was the fact that how and why so many people damaged their shoes at the stadium, that they were frantically looking around for a Shoe maker.
He returned back after the show.
Next morning at the tea stall, he had a story to tell. He announced, “You know guys, I had been to the Formula One yesterday….”
And the story was repeated on popular public demand for several days...
No comments:
Post a Comment